Tinubu Government Approves ₦83.2bn To Combat Nationwide Flooding Crisis

The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the disbursement of ₦83.2 billion from the Anticipatory Action Trust Fund to address the persistent challenge of flooding across Nigeria.

According to Ireporter Online, the decision was taken on Thursday, June 18, 2026, during the NEC meeting held at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, and presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, revealed that while an initial proposal of over ₦166 billion was presented for the trust fund, the council eventually approved ₦83.2 billion for immediate intervention.

The fund is designed to support proactive flood management strategies, including early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and other mitigation efforts aimed at reducing the impact of flooding nationwide.

The council emphasized the need for a shift in approach, noting that NEC must evolve from being a reactive body to one that anticipates and prevents disasters before they occur, particularly in light of recurring seasonal flooding that has continued to displace residents, destroy farmlands, and damage infrastructure across several states.

Vice President Shettima, while addressing the meeting, stressed that the reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration must translate into measurable outcomes for Nigerians. He added that government policies should be assessed by their real impact on citizens, especially farmers, manufacturers, vulnerable groups, unemployed youths, and children.

Shettima further described Nigeria’s economic direction as a transition from stabilisation to production and from policy aspiration to practical implementation, insisting that national development must be coordinated and inclusive. He also underscored the importance of strengthening social protection systems to ensure no Nigerian is left behind amid ongoing reforms.

On economic productivity, the Vice President reiterated the need for Nigeria to reduce dependence on raw material exports while importing finished goods, calling for a fully integrated value chain that links agriculture, manufacturing, standards, and international markets.

He maintained that improving port efficiency and meeting global export standards remain essential to rewarding farmers and boosting national competitiveness in global trade, warning that inefficiencies in goods movement amount to a loss for local producers.

The NEC meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to coordinated national development, disaster preparedness, and reforms aimed at strengthening production and improving livelihoods across the federation.